Premises visited included supermarkets, corner shops and pharmacies. All were inspected to check how well they were following covid business safety guidance, if they were displaying appropriate signage and if staff and customers were wearing face coverings.

In a vast majority of the premises, compliance with the rules was very high and it was clear businesses had taken the necessary steps to keep staff and customers safe.

Officers spoke to a small number of shoppers who were not wearing face masks and gave advice about carrying an exemption card if they were medically exempt.

The team will be doing some follow up work with a very small number of premises, which were encouraged to introduce further measures to ensure the numbers of customers entering at peak times are managed.

The council’s covid business advisors have also visited hundreds of small businesses including off licences, takeaways, banks and post offices since the beginning of December to check covid safety compliance.

The advisors have already issued more than 500 businesses with covid secure posters, demonstrating those businesses have met a checklist of covid secure measures.

Councillor Nicolas Barlow, cabinet member for health and social care, said:

"Businesses have an important part to play in the fight against coronavirus. The steps they take to protect staff and customers are fundamental in reducing the risk of transmission.

"I’m really pleased that officers have found the vast majority of businesses are complying with the rules, a demonstration that businesses in our borough are responsible and care about the people they serve.

"We also welcome the action taken by many of the national supermarket chains to refuse entry to any customer who is not wearing a face mask unless they have a legal medical exemption.

"By continuing to follow simple rules when out shopping for essentials, we can all help in the fight against the disease."

When shopping people should respect the safety of shop workers and other customers and always wear a face covering unless they have a legal medical exemption.

A face shield does not count as a face covering as it does not fully cover the mouth adequately. They can be worn as well as a face covering for additional protection.
People should always shop alone where possible and must not visit if they or anyone in their household has symptoms of coronavirus. They should self-isolate and book a test immediately.

People should also do one large food shop where possible rather than repeated small shops to reduce the number of times they needed to leave home and use facilities provided at the shop for wiping baskets and trolley handles before and after shopping.

Residents concerned a business may in breach of the coronavirus measures can report to Dudley Council Plus by calling 0300 555 2345 or via an online form